Wine Details

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT

This is a rich and intense wine, apparent immediately by its ruby red color. Soft tannins, well-balanced acidity and consistency are complimented by enchanting hints of wild berries and dried plums, accompanied by notes of coffee, eucalyptus and vanilla. This is a well-structured Merlot, expressing typical qualities of the variety, but also the unique character given by a partial “appassimento” for a portion of the grapes, typical of the region and style of the winery.

Region:

Producer:

Tenuta Santa Maria

Classification:

Merlot Verona IGT

Variety:

100% Merlot (selected from three clones)

Number of bottles produced:

20,000 bottles

Production area:

Illasi Valley (16km east of Verona)

Altitude:

50 meters (164 feet) a.s.l.

Age of vines:

27 years

Yield:

8,000 kg/ha

Training:

Cordon-trained

Vinification:

Partial "appasimento" (drying) of the grapes picked in September and remaining grapes harvested overripe in October; separate cold macerations and temperature-controlled fermentation

Refining:

Blended then refined in oak barriques for approx. 14 months and a few months in bottle

Alcohol content:

14.5%

pH level:

3.5

Acidity:

5.17 g/L

Soil:

Primarily clay with deeper calcareous layers

Time of harvest:

Late September for some grapes, remainder in first half of October (overripe)

Harvest:

Manual

Recent press reviews

90

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT 2020

James Suckling (90)- "A bright, fruity wine with lush cherries, plums and flowers on the nose. Medium-bodied, velvety and structured on the palate, yet tight and austere in the finish."

90

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT 2020

Wine Enthusiast (90)- "Wild berries and fresh bay leaf mingling with coffee beans while sweet spices and licorice keep it grounded. The palate expands with measured power, where firm tannins and bright acidity frame those dark fruits with proper respect."

93

Tenuta Santa Maria Decima Aurea Merlot Verona IGT 2019

Vinous Media (93)- "Wild blueberries mix with dusty sage, pine shavings and crushed stone as the 2019 Merlot Decima Aurea comes to life in the glass. It is sleek and cool-toned, with depths of tart wildberry fruits and crisp mineral tones that add tactile grip. A slight herbal tinge lingers, while hints of sour citrus and licorice mingle through the long, lightly structured finish. The Merlot Decima Aurea combines partially dried grapes with late harvest fruit and shows incredible balance."